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Raymond, Nebraska Passed:CH Scarlights Seasar TD, Standard SchnauzerJudges: Mrs. Adajane Knoll and Mel Lloyd | ||||
 Sunrise |
 View |
 View |
 View |
 At the Marina |
 At the Marina |
 At the Marina |
 At the Marina |
 TD Golden Retriever |
 TD Pass Group |
 TD Pass Schnauzer and Judges |
 TD Pass G. Retriever and Judges |
 TD Pass Standard Schnauzer |
 TDX Track #1 Track Layer Dian Quist Sulek |
 TDX Track #2 Track Layer Norm Tucker |
 TDX Track #2 Track Layer Norm Tucker |
 TDX Track #3 Track Layer Diane Sonderegger |
 TDX Track #3 Track Layer Diane Sonderegger |
 TDX Track #3 Track Layer Diane Sonderegger |
 TDX Track #3 Track Layer Diane Sonderegger |
 TDX Track #4 Track Layer Dea Jaffey |
 TDX Track #4 Track Layer Dea Jaffey |
The Chairman's Report and General Observations |
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Cornhusker Kennel Club of Lincoln, NE hosted it's Combined TD/TDX on February 17, 2002 at Branched Oak State Park. The weather god's smiled on us
each day, as we had beautiful weather both for plotting and test day. Our
judges AJ Knoll from Colorado and Mel Lloyd from Illinois were a pleasure
to work with and made our task of offering our first TDX tracks go more
smoothly than we could possibly imagine. Our test workers all commented
that they learned much from the judges and wondered if ALL tracking
people are so great to work with !! We had two of
four TD passes and none of the TDX teams were successful ...but Oh SO
heartbreaking as three of the dogs demonstrated they are more than ready
to pass... Our test morning greeted us with a gorgeous sunrise and flocks of geese flying overhead..breathtaking to behold..along with the encouraging evidence of frost on the ground and crisp Nebraska air. Our TD teams had the added pleasure of being able to run their tracks in near calm conditions, something not common in Nebraska!! The first TD team, Liz Hansen and her Standard Schnauzer Ch. Scarlights Seasar ( now TD) executed a perfect track and thrilled us all with a pass. We later learned that this team was headed to Des Moines after our test to compete in a Confirmation show there, where they went BOB. This dog is ranked the #2 Standard Schnauzer in the nation and also trains with the Boone County Fire and Rescue Wilderness Search Team. Liz says Seasar will be deployable as soon as he can handle a 6 hour old, mile long track. Liz hopes that next year we may see Seasar at Westminster as one of the dogs that also has a title BEHIND his name!! The second TD team, Carl Rosenkoetter and his Golden Retriever, Hillside Over the Road ( now also TD) rewarded us with another pass. His dog methodically worked his track and gave us fits as he seemed to want to retrace parts of his legs every time before continuing on to the next corner. But he persisted and worked his way to the glove to the delight of the handler and all watching. We started to get greedy about wanting every dog to pass..but it was not to be. The third dog, a Novia Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, started well but after the first turn he seemed to drift off toward the tree row to the north and never recommitted to tracking. Our fourth dog, a Basset Hound, acted like she was not interested in our game that day and really never started well. Both dogs will have better days ahead. Our TDX tracks were run in another part of the park and we all had high expectations for seeing a pass on the wonderful tracks that were plotted in various depths of cover and Nebraska prairie grasses in the openings. Articles were the downfall for THREE teams, while cross tracks seemed to not be even a blink of concern for these same teams. The first dog, a Golden Retriever, was on his third leg and had the cross tracks handled when he gave a great "stop and look down at" the article to his handler. Since the handler expected a solid retrieve from her dog, she failed to move up and accept the indication and tracked over the article when the dog resumed tracking. The judges were, perhaps as disappointed as the handler to have to call the team back..as they were confident this dog knew his business and was ready to pass!! The second dog, a Vizsla, had problems deciding what he was there for that day. He never really started and when he did move off the start he selected the incorrect direction. The track layer and handler commented that he was willing to indicate his articles when they came upon them on the track after being put back on...but he clearly was thinking "birdy" as opposed to tracking this day. The third team was the REAL heartbreaker in that this wonderful Border Terrier bitch failed with only about 175 yards to go. She started strongly and trucked her entire track with determination, ignoring the cross tracks and allowing the handler to pocket the second article. On the lower portion of her track she had to work a section that was near the lake, with a wind picking up off the lake, she drifted some from the track and selected a way around a clump of thick vegetation that brought her back to the track but caused her to miss the third article. The handler said this was her first attempt at TDX, and she surely will pass at the next one if her work continues to be this committed. The fourth team, another Standard Schnauzer, also started strong and repeated the Golden's performance by missing her second article after having her cross tracks safely behind her. This dog did not ever indicate and was hauling vigorously down the track, obviously enjoying her work. The handler commented that she will focus on article training in her work as this dog is readily passable if not for this problem. So, the TDX performances were a huge disappointment for the judges, as well as the handlers, as the tracks were so interesting and most of the dogs demonstrated they were great candidates for a pass that day. But we were able to end on a high note after the test was closed, as a local trainer brought her nearly 10 year old long haired Dachshund bitch for certification. This little dog negotiated a perfect track and brought smiles to the faces of those that watched. I have to thank the judges for making my job so easy for our first combined test. Our chief track layer, Diane Hoy ( who does not even train her bloodhounds to track) has been an invaluable first lieutenant that we could not do with out. And my husband Frank, spent countless hours last Fall and on the test weekend, studying our large park and helping with the cross track assignments. I can't forget to thank our test workers - Leone and Don Dieter, Tonja Petit, Sharlin McDermott, Ann Kleimola, Dian Quist Sulek, Norm Tucker, Diane Sonderegger, Dea Jaffey, Carol Freeman and Linda Sullivan, for performing their assignments with enthusiasm and competence. We look forward to next year and this time we'll get some passing TDX's to go along with more passing TD's! Jane Jonas, Test Secretary/Chair |
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